# Should this board have 'like' feature? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 9, 2017, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347 "2017-10-09T02:10:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/21 "2017-10-09T14:32:20Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > QFT. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/22 "2017-10-09T14:40:05Z")
What a fun thing to do-Just say something that you think others would like to hear, then count up the “LIKE!” votes. You don’t even have to actually read the responses to feel good about yourself that way. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/23 "2017-10-09T14:49:58Z")
[Man who invented 'Like' button deletes Facebook app over addiction fears | The Independent | The Independent](http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/facebook-like-inventor-deletes-app-iphone-justin-rosenstein-addiction-fears-a7986566.html) — > [@](#): > > The man who invented the Facebook “Like” button has removed the app from his mobile phone. > > Justin Rosenstein was the engineer who created the “awesome” feature in 2007, but now fears the psychological effects apps are having on people around the world. > > … > > Mr Rosenstein describes Facebook “Likes” as “bright dings of pseudo-pleasure”, one of many features that contribute to what Silicon Valley critics describe as the new “attention economy”. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/24 "2017-10-09T16:44:12Z")
There is a feedback ego-boosting loop that the “Like” button creates. Not only does it boost the ego of the poster, who sees his post “liked” by lots of people, it boosts the ego of the person hitting the “like” button. Think about it: why should anyone care whether you “like” the post or not?? Are you the “liker” so important that your opinion on the post is valuable? Around here, I’ve been tempted to post a response at times that accomplishes nothing but indicating agreement (no added content of value). Usually, I eschew that sort of antiphon with a wry chuckle, as I reflect upon the fact that most posters here wouldn’t care one way or the other. It would just be a sop to my need for self-aggrandizement. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/25 "2017-10-09T17:11:48Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > There is a feedback ego-boosting loop that the “Like” button creates. Not only does it boost the ego of the poster, who sees his post “liked” by lots of people, it boosts the ego of the person hitting the “like” button. Is there a button we could push that would make both the poster and the responder unhappy? I’d advocate for that one! ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/26 "2017-10-09T17:19:45Z")
Luckily, it just **can’t be done.** vBulletin doesn’t have one as native programming, and there is no way to add one without completely buggering up everything else. So stop asking!! ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/27 "2017-10-09T17:36:21Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Is there a button we could push that would make both the poster and the responder unhappy? I’d advocate for that one! There should be a button that you can press that will deliver an electric shock to the posters of comments that you don’t like. But it also delvers an equal electric shock to you, so you have to dislike the other person enough that you are willing to hurt yourself, too. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/28 "2017-10-09T17:46:27Z")
No. Some things shouldn’t be dumbed down. This site is one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/29 "2017-10-09T17:56:31Z")
The reason I go to this board above all others is that when I am right y’all tell me how I might be made even more right, and when I am wrong y’all tell me how wrong and in what way. What is a “like” button going to do that could possibly benefit me-convince me that I am right despite solid evidence to the contrary just because a bunch of people hit a button? ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/30 "2017-10-09T19:35:45Z")
I have to ask, have any of you ever been in a real life conversation? Because if you observe one you’ll note that it involves a lot of non-verbal communication. People laugh at jokes and nod at good points. They make eye contact. Even a lot of verbal communication is simple acknowledgement. Some one got promoted, their friends say “Congrats” or “Alright!” Since that’s not possible online, a like button provides a simulation. I know there’ve been posts that have made me laugh, or that I’ve thought made a good point, and I would have liked to express my appreciation, but that’s not possible without cluttering up the thread with one word posts like “haha” or “Good point!” so I don’t. I know it’s a moot point since they can’t add that feature to the board software without a lot more work than anyone (understandably) wants to do. But the absurdity of saying “A like button will ruin the intellectual tone of the Dope!” is infuriating. It wouldn’t and also, what intellectual tone? It would merely provide a way to give quick acknowledgement to a post you liked without breaking the flow of the thread. Just my two cents. Please return to your deep and serious discussions about Supergirl and how terrible Trump is. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/31 "2017-10-09T19:45:03Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > I have to ask, have any of you ever been in a real life conversation? Because if you observe one you’ll note that it involves a lot of non-verbal communication. People laugh at jokes and nod at good points. They make eye contact. Even a lot of verbal communication is simple acknowledgement. Some one got promoted, their friends say “Congrats” or “Alright!” Since that’s not possible online, a like button provides a simulation. I know there’ve been posts that have made me laugh, or that I’ve thought made a good point, and I would have liked to express my appreciation, but that’s not possible without cluttering up the thread with one word posts like “haha” or “Good point!” so I don’t. In real life conversations there are also non-verbal clues of disapproval, disgust, boredom, anger, etc. If the board is unfortunate in being absent _positive_ non-verbal clues, is is it also unfortunate in being absent _negative_ non-verbal clues? If there there were to be a “like” button, would the site continue to be deficient in lacking a “do not want” button? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/32 "2017-10-09T19:55:58Z")
In real life conversations are non-verbal communications inserted while someone is speaking, at the part of the conversation they happen to especially agree with, as to not interrupt that person while speaking? Or are they done after the person is all finished, without indicating which part of all that was said is being non-verbally commented on? I’m thinking the former rather than the latter, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/33 "2017-10-09T20:59:13Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > Otherwise how should one convey sense of appreciation for a post? > [@Charlie\_Tan](#): > > This. > [@running\_coach](#): > > QFT. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > +1 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/34 "2017-10-09T21:01:54Z")
> [@ioioio](#): > > I would prefer a “STFU You’re really annoying” feature. I think you just exercised it. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/35 "2017-10-09T21:04:19Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > 😃 TreacherousCretin hitchhikes this! ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/36 "2017-10-10T19:43:18Z")
I have to admit, I’m a Redditor and when I see a good post on SDMB, I look for the upvote button. Similarly when I see a bad post I look for the downvote button. I think an upvote would be better than silent agreement or “This” posts. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/37 "2017-10-11T11:59:50Z")
This: > [@Acsenray](#): > > … > Do some research about what the like button actually is. It’s a tool to make social media addictive. It adds nothing to education, understanding, or knowledge. Because this: > [@Czarcasm](#): > > What a fun thing to do-Just say something that you think others would like to hear, then count up the “LIKE!” votes. You don’t even have to actually read the responses to feel good about yourself that way. These two things don’t go together: > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > … > I’d be fine with the Dope adding a +1 feature > … > If a poster’s contribution can be summed up by clicking a “like” button, I’m good with them not posting in the thread at all. My modest proposal to square this circle: I suggest we add a [like] button that does exactly nothing. The folks trained on TwitFace can click it and get their endorphin rush as they’ve been conditioned, while the rest of us don’t have to see it or be bothered with it. IMO the fundamental point is that this board is for _conversation_. Which is a different kind of communication vs. sound-bites thrown into a stream of consciousness flow of other sound-bites. If you (any you) don’t want to converse, simply step away from the keyboard. You’re welcome to read as much as you want. IOW: when come back, bring actual content. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/38 "2017-10-11T12:35:27Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > IMO the fundamental point is that this board is for _conversation_. Which is a different kind of communication vs. sound-bites thrown into a stream of consciousness flow of other sound-bites. If you (any you) don’t want to converse, simply step away from the keyboard. You’re welcome to read as much as you want. > > IOW: when come back, bring actual content. I agree with you. The point I’m making is that posters on this board (and all boards) **already** respond with content-free sound-bites in the form of “+1,” “this,” QFT," and so on. That’s fine - it’s how conversations work. Sometimes you just want to show appreciation for what’s been said even if you have nothing to contribute but appreciation. In real life you can do this with body language, applause, the vast grouping of contentless agreeing noises that humans make, whatever. You’re not going to see me rah-rahing for a like button because I don’t think it’s necessary. It’s the insistence that the button would somehow degrade the integrity of the Dope that strikes me as silly. If anything, it would make conversations flow more naturally (from the reader’s perspective) because some posters, having expressed their agreement via a click, might not feel compelled to post content-free agreement. But what would the Dope be without its own particular brand of internet Luddism? I’ll sit this one out, but save me a pitchfork and torch for the next “can we please enable avatar portraits” thread. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/39 "2017-10-11T12:47:51Z")
I’m getting a BIG “Get off my lawn” vibe in this thread. Adding a thumbs up and thumbs down button wouldn’t “dumb down” the board. It would streamline it. And it’s not always to explain _why_ you like a post, because those reasons tend to be self evident in the post. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347/40 "2017-10-11T13:40:41Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I’m getting a BIG “Get off my lawn” vibe in this thread. > > Adding a thumbs up and thumbs down button wouldn’t “dumb down” the board. I’ve seen plenty of boards where they have features like like buttons and user icons. I don’t go there. Whether or not you think it will “dumb down” the boards, it will definitely change the boards, and not in a good way. > [@](#): > > It would streamline it. And it’s not always to explain _why_ you like a post, because those reasons tend to be self evident in the post. Then, in my opinion, we don’t really need to know that you like a post. I would even support a rule that bans “+1,” “QFT,” and “This” posts. Something like “a post must have a minimum of three words written out and not abbreviated.” Again, what does a bare “like” serve? Look at all the sociological studies coming out about how it affects the brain. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-this-board-have-like-feature/798347.md?page=3)